Anime on Funimation, Netflix, Hulu+ and Amazon

1456 Views 6 Replies 2 Participants Last post by Mr.G, Mar 27, 2014

Mr.G

Discussion Starter · Feb 10, 2014

I recently changed the title of this thread to reflect the fact that there are many other sources for streaming Japanese anime.

I've been watching quite a bit of anime lately on both Netflix and Amazon Prime and decided to try the full-blown streaming service from Funimation.

There is a free two week trial so I decided to give it a try. I was curious about how good it would look from a dedicated source on the Roku 3. I had to search a bit but eventually I found the channel and added it. The regular subscription is $8 per month.

I watched several shows over the weekend and was generally impressed with the HD quality even on my 120" front projection system and on my 50" Panasonic plasma. The only short-coming I noticed was that the sound was stereo-only on the shows I watched but at this point I'm not sure if it's that way with every show. You are also given the option to stream content in SD.

I took some screenshots off my Tomato based router showing the download speeds. The first thing I noticed was how a show would download in large gulps which is quite unlike anything I see using Netflix, Amazon Prime or Hulu+.

The downloads appeared to coming from Akamai servers in Cambridge, MA.

Here is the corresponding 24 hour average off the same router software, the period from 1600-2300 hours I spent streaming from Funimation.

Just FYI - thought some folks might be interested.

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Mr.G

Discussion Starter · #2 · Mar 16, 2014

This is probably a good thread to make people aware of a Japanese anime show that has been getting a lot of attention lately and which I've gotten hooked on - Attack on Titan.

It's streaming on Funimation, Netflix, Hulu+ and Crunchyroll. It's rated TV MA.

Here is a YouTube review that does a good job of describing the show.

If you are looking for something different give this show a chance. Recommended.

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Apostate

· #3 · Mar 16, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.G /t/1517117/funimation-anime-on-the-roku-3#post_24489045

This is probably a good thread to make people aware of a Japanese anime show that has been getting a lot of attention lately and which I've gotten hooked on - Attack on Titan.

It's streaming on Funimation, Netflix, Hulu+ and Crunchyroll. It's rated TV MA.

Here is a YouTube review that does a good job of describing the show.

If you are looking for something different give this show a chance. Recommended.

I agree it's additive and have had finished watching the season on Netflix, I have to say I felt a bit dissatisfied and ashamed afterwards. Not because it was anime but, on reflection, how preposterous the premise and the physics of that world were.

Now I do allow for a certain amount of disconnect to physical reality when I watch fantastical shows but Attack of Titan fell in that strange limbo between "it could happen" and "pure fantasy." I was distracted by a nagging questions in my mind that kept saying how is that possible, how does that work, etc.

If it was pure fantasy, I can tell myself it's magic, just enjoy it. But Attack of Titan was in world where it was just realistic enough yet far enough from physical possibilities that the whole situation became ridiculous.

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Mr.G

Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 17, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by Apostate /t/1517117/funimation-anime-on-the-roku-3#post_24490361

I agree it's additive and have had finished watching the season on Netflix, I have to say I felt a bit dissatisfied and ashamed afterwards. Not because it was anime but, on reflection, how preposterous the premise and the physics of that world were.

Now I do allow for a certain amount of disconnect to physical reality when I watch fantastical shows but Attack of Titan fell in that strange limbo between "it could happen" and "pure fantasy." I was distracted by a nagging questions in my mind that kept saying how is that possible, how does that work, etc.

If it was pure fantasy, I can tell myself it's magic, just enjoy it. But Attack of Titan was in world where it was just realistic enough yet far enough from physical possibilities that the whole situation became ridiculous.

Thanks for sharing your views. I agree it's an interesting mix of fantasy and reality, for me it's always been heavier on the fantasy side, an alternate world if you will. I haven't finished the series yet, I'm about half way through the 25 episodes.

Attack on Titan will be the highlight at the Anime Boston festival (March 21-23, 2014) where they will be premiering the English dub of the show. Great for people who don't like reading subtitles. It's interesting how fans in America have taken to this show. Sort of has a Star Wars feel to it.

There is news that there may be a sequel or spin-off.

http://en.rocketnews24.com/2014/01/31/attack-on-titans-studio-head-talks-sequels-keys-to-the-hit-animes-success/

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Apostate

· #5 · Mar 18, 2014

To clarify, my biggest peeve was the gadgets that were used in Attack the Titan didn't seem feasible. How the heck were those people able to develop sophisticated compact device that enabled them to, in all purpose, fly around but can't develop weapons beyond rudimentary cannon from medieval times? The technical discrepancy kinda ruined it for me. Don't get me wrong, I thought the story development and interaction/relationship aspect were interesting and engaging; and that's what kept me intrigued enough to finish out the season.

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Mr.G

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 26, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by Apostate /t/1517117/anime-on-funimation-netflix-hulu-and-amazon#post_24496332

To clarify, my biggest peeve was the gadgets that were used in Attack the Titan didn't seem feasible. How the heck were those people able to develop sophisticated compact device that enabled them to, in all purpose, fly around but can't develop weapons beyond rudimentary cannon from medieval times? The technical discrepancy kinda ruined it for me. Don't get me wrong, I thought the story development and interaction/relationship aspect were interesting and engaging; and that's what kept me intrigued enough to finish out the season.

I understand (and generally agree) with your viewpoint, I'm more prone to allow a lot of slack to a storyline if I find it interesting enough. The physics involved are certainly not of this earth, perhaps a parallel dimension with weaker gravity? Compressed air/gas that allows them to fly and float but eventually runs out, sometimes at critical times. A complete suspension of belief is necessary to enjoy the series, but as you said a viewer will get hooked because the characters' interpersonal relationships.

I just finished the season yesterday and...
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show) I was disappointed by the lack of resolution to their predicament one way or another. I went back and watched the first episode and it confirmed that almost nothing had changed or improved. Hundreds or thousands had died directly and indirectly. Parts of cities were reduced to rubble with none of this loss leading to a more hopeful state.

In spite of this I would be extremely interested in seeing a second season.

FYI - I've changed the title of the thread to reflect the fact that there are many sources for streaming anime.

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Mr.G

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 27, 2014

Subtitles on anime can be off-putting for some people and Attack on Titan is no exception...although they are not that intrusive.

However the English dubbed version will be out on Blu-ray and DVD in June 3, 2014. The good news is that eventually the anime will become available on many of the streaming services.

Here is a promotional sample.

http://www.funimation.com/shows/attack-on-titan/videos/promotional/get-the-titans-attention/anime

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